Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) launched nationwide protests on Tuesday marking two years since the imprisonment of its founder and former prime minister Imran Khan, with at least 200 party workers reportedly arrested in Lahore.
Zulfikar Bukhari, spokesperson of PTI, confirmed that many party activists had been detained in Lahore but insisted that the demonstrations would proceed as planned.
In a statement posted on PTI’s official X account, Imran Khan urged his supporters to “come out and hold peaceful protests until a true democracy is restored in the country.” PTI Chairman Gohar Ali Khan echoed this call, saying the rallies were held “on the orders of the PTI founder” and would continue.
The Multan chapter of PTI alleged that its planned rally in Lahore had been attacked by police. Social media videos from the city showed police in riot gear arresting several individuals, including Rehana Dar, a former PTI candidate, who was seen being dragged into a police van.
The Pakistani government had earlier declared large public gatherings “illegal” and announced enhanced security measures across major cities. Punjab government spokesperson Uzma Bukhari accused PTI of inciting unrest, saying “a terrorist organisation disguised as a political party is not allowed to disrupt Pakistan’s peace.”
In reply, former National Assembly speaker and PTI leader Asad Qaiser said the party was exercising its democratic right and was not seeking to provoke confrontation.
Imran Khan was ousted from office in 2022 following a fallout with the country’s military establishment. His arrest in May 2023 sparked massive protests, leading to a nationwide crackdown on the PTI. Hundreds of party leaders and supporters were convicted last month over the 2023 protests. Despite this, PTI emerged as the largest single party in the 2024 general election, though it failed to form a government.